One is not
required to register a name in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), and
many do not. I know I went for ten years (combining my first and second stints
in the SCA) without registering a name. For years and years folks have went
their entire SCA lives without registering a name. Some kingdoms now require
one have a registered name or device to receive a scroll for an award though
(to register a device one must register a name) or to register a name and
device to fight in their respective crown tourneys. Even if one is not required
to register a name to receive a scroll for an award in his or her kingdom there
are some advantages to registering a name.

First and
foremost by registering your name and device you avoid confusion. Lets say
there are two people going by Henry of Faversham. One resides in An Tir, the
other in the East Kingdom. As long as the two never cross paths, and no one
that knows them crosses paths, there may not be a problem. Not being in the
same kingdom there is unlikely to be any confusion over who received what
award. But lets say Henry of Faversham moves from An Tir to the East Kingdom.
Suddenly, folks talking about "Henry of Faversham" have to ask, "Do
you mean the one from Glenn Linn or the one from Stonemarche?" More
confusion is encountered when awards are granted. Henry of Faversham from Glenn
Linn may be recorded in the East Kingdom Order of Precedence as having gotten
an award given to Henry of Faversham from Stonemarche. There are safeguards
against this, but mistakes can be made. Even if both stay in their respective
kingdoms there can be confusion. Lets say one or both are admitted to the Order
of the Pelican. Suddenly folks are confused when people are talking about "Henry
of Faversham." Granted these are worst case scenarios, but even then there
can even be confusion when folks are referring someone to one of them for
answers about some area of expertise. Lets say Henry of Faversham from An Tir
is a master armorer, while Henry of Faversham from East Kingdom cannot even
tell you what a mail coif is. Henry of Faversham of East Kingdom may be
perplexed as to why he is getting questions on how to make a pair of gauntlets.

There can be
similar confusion over devices. Lets say John of Amlesmore adopts a gold cross
with a red background (gules, a cross Or) as the design of his device.
Jack of Brokenbridge quite unaware John of Amlesmore is using that device
decides he wants that design too. Then comes a day when the Kingdoms of
Calontir and the East face each other on the field of battle. For whatever
reason both armies are wearing purple surcoats (with their respective kingdom
emblems on them of course). In the heat of battle all one may see is a flash of
purple and the shield. Suddenly, John and Jack are wondering why they are not
getting hit, or worse yet why members of both armies are attacking them. In
battle shields play an important role in identifying whose who. The same is
true of tournaments to a lesser degree. It is therefore important that each
device be unique.

By registering
names and devices one avoids such needless confusion. The College of Arms
ensures that each name and each device registered is unique, and is not too
similar to another. Thus there cannot be two Henrys of Favershams, or two
devices that are a gold cross on a red background. Such a practice may not be
authentic to period, but then folks did not travel in the Middle Ages as they
do now. Folks that knew John of Ashford from Surrey may never meet people that
knew John of Ashford from Kent. A knight in England with a shield with a gold
cross on it may never meet a knight from Sweden with a shield with the same
emblem. Today, that is not a case. It is entirely possible Henry of Faversham
of An Tir may move to East Kingdom where he will be confused with the Henry of
Faversham that has always lived in East Kingdom. And it is entirely possible
John of Amlesmore and Jack of Brokenbridge both bearing shields with a gold
cross on them will both be at Pennsic.

There are
other reasons to register a name and a device. When your name and device passes
submission it is added to the records the College of Arms keeps. These for the
most part are now online for all to see. This makes it easy for the respective
Crowns, heralds, and scribes to know who you are and what name to put on
scrolls for awards, and what name to put in the Order of Precedence. It is
makes it easy for a herald who has never seen a name spelled, who has only
heard it, to check the spelling to make sure the scribe doing the scroll spells
it right. It saves the time of inquiring of group members how a member's name
is spelled and possibly ruining what is to be a surprise award.

Finally, registering a name is a polite thing to
do. It shows one is serious about the SCA, that he or she is dedicated to it.
It shows that one wants to make it easier for the Crown and officers when they
make awards, and ensures people know who is being spoken of when referrals are
made. There is no requirement to register a name. One can use a name his or her
entire time in the SCA without ever registering it. There are many sustaining
members who are group officers that do not have a registered name. At the same
time it is a good idea. One thing that must be emphasized if you are a new
member though, do not just rush out and register a name. Take your time, use
your own legal birth name for a while if need be (I could have went by Berry of
Amlesmore for a while before attempting to register my name if I wanted). There
is no rush. It is more important one choose a name to register they like than
to just register a name to have a name registered. To register a name it is
suggested you talk to your local herald.

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Copyright
2014 by Berry Canote, 202 E, Mulberry, Huntsville, MO 65269. <swainwodening
at gmail.com>. Permission is granted for republication in SCA-related
publications, provided the author is credited. Addresses change, but a
reasonable attempt should be made to ensure that the author is notified of the
publication and if possible receives a copy.

If
this article is reprinted in a publication, please place a notice in the
publication that you found this article in the Florilegium. I would also
appreciate an email to myself, so that I can track which articles are being
reprinted. Thanks. -Stefan.